The Philippines Versus Japan for Asian Supremacy

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This coming May 31st will be the biggest event in MMA history, especially in Asian MMA. Decades have passed and Asian MMA attracted almost a hundred thousand Japanese with its events. Now, it is becoming prevalent in the Philippines. Thus, let us all witness our fellow Filipinos One FC featherweight champion Honorio Banario, Kevin Belingon, and Rey Docyogen and their respective Japanese opponents Koji Oishi, Masakatsu Ueda, and Yosuhiro Urushitani as they wave their flags, fight their best, and go for the win at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The top of the card is occupied by 3 bouts featuring young combatants from the Philippines against veterans from Japan. This can be a passing of the torch moment in Asian MMA, with three bouts featuring a Filiino mixed martial artist against a Japanese opponent. ONE FC featherweight world champion will be defending the belt for the first time against Koji Oishi, Kevin Belingon meets Masakatsu Ueda in the ONE FC Bantamweight Grand Prix final and Rey Docyogen fights in front of his compatriots against Yosuhiro Urushitani.

For decades, Japan have been the hub for Asian MMA, with events attracting up to 40,000 people during its heyday. However, The Philippines has taken over the mantle as Asia’s most passionate MMA country, with thousands of fans clamoring for a glimpse of their MMA heroes at every public appearance. The upcoming event in MOA Arena is likely to draw an attendance that is the largest in recent years, with 20,000 expected to be in attendance.

While this will be the first time facing an opponent from the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ for featherweight champion Honorio Banario, both Belingon and Docyogen have been bested by Japanese opponents in the past. Belingon succumbed to a patented leglock from submission expert Masakazu Imanari last March while Docyogen was caught in a guillotine choke by Shinichi Kojima earlier this year. Coincidentally, both losses came at their respective ONE FC debuts and handed the Filipino fighters their first professional defeat.

Banario, Belingon and Docyogen now get a chance to claim a victory over Japanese rivals for the first time in their respective careers. A win for all three in front of the partisan crowd will further cement the Philippines as the premier country of mixed martial arts.

Thank you again and we look forward to seeing and working with you in our future sports events / projects!